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Friday, November 23. 2007
Custom alpha blended (semi-transparent) mouse cursors by XsX for Windows XP and Vista - auto-install package v1.0
Since 2001, almost every laptop and desktop system that I use on a day to day basis does not use the default mouse cursors that come with Windows XP and Vista.
I have always used the XsX alpha-blended cursors because:
#1 The cursors change color based on the action performed (Normal/Link Select/Etc)
#2 They are easy on the eyes, professional looking, and most importantly, easy to locate on a laptop LCD.
#3 They work well on Citrix and Terminal Server sessions with low color depth.
Screenshot of the XsX cursors
Original screenshot of all the cursors
Unfortunately, locating and using this cursor set is hard to do in 2007 for the following reasons:
#1 All the links (1 and 2) on XsX's Deviant Art page have expired long ago.
#2 The original ZIP file XsX-winxpstylecursors2.0.zip requires you to create a mouse scheme on your system, and select each cursor manually.
#3 The Windows 9x/ME/2000 non-alpha-blended cursors are even harder to find online.
Solution:
Today, I created a self-extracting .EXE that includes .INF files that will automatically copy and register the correct cursors for ease-of-use. Simply double click the .EXE and extract the files into a temporary folder.
For Windows XP, Vista and Server 2008
With administrator rights, from the extracted temporary folder, go into XsX-alphablendedcursors folder and right click the XsX-alphablendedcursors-Install.inf file and select Install. Press [Win]-[R] and type control main.cpl into the Run dialog and press [Enter]. Click on the Pointers tab and select XsX - Alpha Blended Cursors from the Scheme dropdown list. Click OK and enjoy!
For Windows 95, 98, ME, and 2000 (currently untested)
From the extracted temporary folder, go into XsX-normalcursors folder and right click the XsX-normalcursors-Install.inf file and select Install. Press [Win]-[R] and type control main.cpl into the Run dialog and press [Enter]. Click on the Pointers tab and select XsX - Normal Cursors from the Scheme dropdown list. Click OK and enjoy
If you missed the .EXE link above, you can download the package here.
Update: I remade the .EXE so that it no longer requires the C++ runtime (msvcr71.dll). I plan on making a .MSI soon.
Update 2: Go here for the latest version. It is now a full blown installation package.
I have always used the XsX alpha-blended cursors because:
#1 The cursors change color based on the action performed (Normal/Link Select/Etc)
#2 They are easy on the eyes, professional looking, and most importantly, easy to locate on a laptop LCD.
#3 They work well on Citrix and Terminal Server sessions with low color depth.
Screenshot of the XsX cursors
Original screenshot of all the cursors
Unfortunately, locating and using this cursor set is hard to do in 2007 for the following reasons:
#1 All the links (1 and 2) on XsX's Deviant Art page have expired long ago.
#2 The original ZIP file XsX-winxpstylecursors2.0.zip requires you to create a mouse scheme on your system, and select each cursor manually.
#3 The Windows 9x/ME/2000 non-alpha-blended cursors are even harder to find online.
Solution:
Today, I created a self-extracting .EXE that includes .INF files that will automatically copy and register the correct cursors for ease-of-use. Simply double click the .EXE and extract the files into a temporary folder.
For Windows XP, Vista and Server 2008
With administrator rights, from the extracted temporary folder, go into XsX-alphablendedcursors folder and right click the XsX-alphablendedcursors-Install.inf file and select Install. Press [Win]-[R] and type control main.cpl into the Run dialog and press [Enter]. Click on the Pointers tab and select XsX - Alpha Blended Cursors from the Scheme dropdown list. Click OK and enjoy!
For Windows 95, 98, ME, and 2000 (currently untested)
From the extracted temporary folder, go into XsX-normalcursors folder and right click the XsX-normalcursors-Install.inf file and select Install. Press [Win]-[R] and type control main.cpl into the Run dialog and press [Enter]. Click on the Pointers tab and select XsX - Normal Cursors from the Scheme dropdown list. Click OK and enjoy
If you missed the .EXE link above, you can download the package here.
Update: I remade the .EXE so that it no longer requires the C++ runtime (msvcr71.dll). I plan on making a .MSI soon.
Update 2: Go here for the latest version. It is now a full blown installation package.
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Thank you for the XsX alpha-blended cursors... how Windows displays cursors has always been a point of frustration for me, and I've always wished for something better. I would often find myself thrashing my mouse around trying to locate where the cursor or pointer was hiding. I downloaded and installed the alpha-blended cursors and my wish has come true.
It's the simple things in life that provide the most satisfaction
Danny
It's the simple things in life that provide the most satisfaction
Danny
I'm glad someone else found them useful. 
Don't thank me though, thank XsX. I merely packaged it up and put them back on the web because they were getting harder to find.
Hopefully this will get more usage out of these cursors.
Don't thank me though, thank XsX. I merely packaged it up and put them back on the web because they were getting harder to find.
Hopefully this will get more usage out of these cursors.
Danny,
This is great, thanks for taking the time to make this so easy! Your solution was featured on Lifehacker - glad I saw this and thanks again.
cheers,
J
This is great, thanks for taking the time to make this so easy! Your solution was featured on Lifehacker - glad I saw this and thanks again.
cheers,
J
Thank you. I have been looking for something like that /forever/! I have long hated the standard Windows cursors because you can't see text behind them. These are almost perfect! The only thing I changed was to use AWIcons Lite to increase the transparency by 25, so that text can be more easily be seen through them.
This basically installs a new mouse scheme to Windows. You can easily change back with the Mouse menu item in the control panel.
These are great!!
These are great!!
For now, go into %windir%\Cursors\ and delete the folder "XsX-alphablendedcursors".
The only thing the .INF file does is copy the cursors into that folder and creates a 'Scheme' so that you don't have to manually install each cursor for each action.
Over the holidays, I hope to make it an .MSI that is easily installable and removal. I'll still keep the old copy around for people that don't like MSI packages.
The only thing the .INF file does is copy the cursors into that folder and creates a 'Scheme' so that you don't have to manually install each cursor for each action.
Over the holidays, I hope to make it an .MSI that is easily installable and removal. I'll still keep the old copy around for people that don't like MSI packages.
Nicely done. Found you on LifeHacker. I only have a laptop and I lose my pointer all the time. Thank again!
Hi, thanks for your package. But normal-Precision Select.cur is missing in XsX-normalcursors directory.
A small bug in your install script:
\XsX\XsX-normalcursors\XsX-normalcursors-Install.inf
The file "normal-Precision Select.cur" seems to be missing. Thanks for the good work anyway
\XsX\XsX-normalcursors\XsX-normalcursors-Install.inf
The file "normal-Precision Select.cur" seems to be missing. Thanks for the good work anyway
from someone who doesn't wear his glasses as much as they should when working on a 14 inch screen..LOL....thanks...this is a cool thing...very useful
Great cursors, only it seems 'alpha-Unavailable.cur' isn't actually transparent. Thanks for the pack, and kudos to XsX for creating them.
thanks for the download! very easy to install and like others have stated nice to have something better to use!
That looks great. Any chance you might make a version of lefties? I'm personally one of the few that has the mouse on the left-side of the keyboard, reverses the buttons, _and_ reverses the pointer icons. Sounds quirky, but it ends up being very user-intuitive when I am using a different computer and have to use my right-hand to use the mouse (prevents clicking wrong).
These are great!
I was not happy with the Vista pointers.
I was not happy with the Vista pointers.
Your cursors are fantastic. I've got one serious problem though: My WMP 11 crashes since I installed them!!! Any idea how to fix this?!
(For other users: Please do not reply that wmp sucks etc... I love the wmp library organised by genre. Thanxxx!)
(For other users: Please do not reply that wmp sucks etc... I love the wmp library organised by genre. Thanxxx!)
Awesome cursors; I've long wanted something interesting & colorful, and I just put them on both my Vista & my XP boxes.
Really nice! On DonationCoder's forum we like your cursors so much that yksyks created a version WITH SHADOW - free to use if you please! The post: http://www.donationcoder.com/Forums/bb/index.php?topic=11282.msg91042#msg91042 - and the file: http://www.donationcoder.com/Forums/bb/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=11282.0;attach=25055 (replace alpha icons before installing INI).
bumping... Try this version WITH SHADOW : http://www.donationcoder.com/Forums/bb/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=11282.0;attach=25055 (replace alpha icons before installing INI).
Looking VERY forward to try out your next version!
Looking VERY forward to try out your next version!
*Where are Windows Default Pointer files?*
I just wanted to slightly change a few colors of some pointers in the "Windows Default" Scheme. So I went to "_Control Panel > Mouse > Pointers > Customize_", selected "_Link Select_" then "_Browse_", but then the "_File name_" box was empty! so I couldn't know what is the file used. Then when browsing "_C:\WINDOWS\Cursors_", I have ~180 items, but none looks similar to the ones used. Thus I think the Windows Default scheme files are hidden somewhere else, under filenames I can't guess.
Result, I had to draw new pointers from scratch (using IconArt, Paint, IrfanView), a bare time loss since I didn't want or need special pointers, just small color changes.
However, to save time next time, I would like to know what and where the original files are. Anyone knows? TIA,
Versailles, Mon 7 Jan 2008 17:24:00 +0100
I just wanted to slightly change a few colors of some pointers in the "Windows Default" Scheme. So I went to "_Control Panel > Mouse > Pointers > Customize_", selected "_Link Select_" then "_Browse_", but then the "_File name_" box was empty! so I couldn't know what is the file used. Then when browsing "_C:\WINDOWS\Cursors_", I have ~180 items, but none looks similar to the ones used. Thus I think the Windows Default scheme files are hidden somewhere else, under filenames I can't guess.
Result, I had to draw new pointers from scratch (using IconArt, Paint, IrfanView), a bare time loss since I didn't want or need special pointers, just small color changes.
However, to save time next time, I would like to know what and where the original files are. Anyone knows? TIA,
Versailles, Mon 7 Jan 2008 17:24:00 +0100
Not the most elegant way, but it works:
Run regedit, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Cursors\ and delete all the keys inside of there.
Run regedit, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Cursors\ and delete all the keys inside of there.
Thx but I don't want to delete, I want to copy the image files (which are probably not ".CUR" as they should, since searching C: for ".cur" returns nothing new).
Versailles, Mon 7 Jan 2008 18:29:50 +0100
Versailles, Mon 7 Jan 2008 18:29:50 +0100
As far as I know, the true "Windows Default" cursors are buried in a DLL in System32. I can't remember if it varies depending on the OS, but they aren't stored in .CUR format from what I remember.
I am afraid you are right. Do you know a way to find those image files in the DLLs, then to copy them?
You can use Resource Hacker to yank the cursors out of user32.dll that lives in %windir%\system32. I just checked my Vista box and they still "live" there.
Google/Live Search for "Resource Hacker" if you don't have that program already.
Google/Live Search for "Resource Hacker" if you don't have that program already.
Thx a lot. I didn't know http://www.download.com/3000-2352-10178588.html "Resource Hacker" (currently v3.4.0.79) or www.live.com "Live Search". Searching my "C:" (XP Pro) found no "user32.dll" but I found it by browsing, in "C:\WINDOWS\$NtUninstallKB890859$", and could extract the ".cur" files I wanted. Thx again!
Versailles, Tue 8 Jan 2008 00:16:20 +0100
Versailles, Tue 8 Jan 2008 00:16:20 +0100
Hi guys!
I'm still alive, and very surprised to see my work i have done 7 years ago still going around the web
i wish to thank you all.
That makes me want to do something new!
I'm still alive, and very surprised to see my work i have done 7 years ago still going around the web
i wish to thank you all.
That makes me want to do something new!
thanks m8 these looks sweet as. theres no other cursors needed and nice and easy to install
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Alpha Blended Mouse Cursors can replace your Windows cursors with something better. The cursors change color based on the action performed (Normal/Link Select/Etc). They are easy on the eyes, professional looking, and most importantly, easy to locate on a
Tracked: Dec 10, 05:20